US4502523A - Slatted blind assemblies having automatic opening and closing features - Google Patents
Slatted blind assemblies having automatic opening and closing features Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4502523A US4502523A US06/559,770 US55977083A US4502523A US 4502523 A US4502523 A US 4502523A US 55977083 A US55977083 A US 55977083A US 4502523 A US4502523 A US 4502523A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- slats
- mat
- pivot
- slat
- cables
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/38—Other details
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/303—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable with ladder-tape
- E06B9/307—Details of tilting bars and their operation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/38—Other details
- E06B9/384—Details of interconnection or interaction of tapes and lamellae
Definitions
- This invention relates to slatted blind assemblies having automatic opening and closing features and more particularly to blind assemblies which in one form will tend to tilt slats to a slat open position upon removal of a tilting force and in another form will tend to tilt slats to a slat closed position upon removal of a tilting force.
- Venetian blind structures are know in which a plurality of slats are supported by slat support means in the form of tape ladders extending between sill and head slats and which in turn are pivotally supported by pivot members to top and bottom frames of a window opening.
- slat support means in the form of tape ladders extending between sill and head slats and which in turn are pivotally supported by pivot members to top and bottom frames of a window opening.
- the blind is constructed so that the slats will remain in any position to which they are adjusted and after removal of the adjustment force necessary to make the adjustment.
- a blind construction which, instead of the slats remaining in an adjusted position, will return automatically to an original preadjusted position upon removal of an adjustment force.
- a blind construction in which the slats will automatically return to a closed position upon removal of an adjustment force which tilted or adjusted the slats to an open or partially open position.
- the blind operate in a reverse manner, that is to have the slats automatically return to an open position upon removal of an adjustment force which tilted the slats to a closed position.
- At least one pivot means is adjacent to each end of the mat and is adapted to be connected to a structure, such as a frame member, so that the pivot means pivots about a pivot axis extending parallel to the slats.
- Slat support means comprising a pair of cables extend between the pivot means situated on opposite ends of the mats from two supporting points on each pivot means such that pivotal movement of a pivot means will tilt each of the slats.
- the two supporting points on each pivot means and a center point of the pivot axis together form the vertices of a triangle with the center point forming a top vertex and the two supporting points base vertices.
- the top vertices of pivot means situated at opposite ends of the mat face in opposite directions. This positioning of the top vertices results in tension in the cables being at a minimum in one or more stabilized tilt positions of the slats and with the cables being subjected to an increased tension in other tilt positions of the slats tending to return the slat to a stabilized position, a stabilized position being one to which the slat will return after removal of a tilt or adjustment force.
- the pivot means on one end of the slat may comprise a plurality of single pivot members in combination with an end slat at one end of the mat of slats and where the supporting points are positioned at opposite longitudinal edges of the end slat.
- the end slat is usually modified in order that a pivot member may be fastened thereto.
- a pair of cables is associated with each of the pivot members at each end of the mat of slats such that the cables of a pair extend between the supporting points on one pivot means on one end of the mat to the supporting points on the pivot member at the opposite end of the mat.
- the pivot means may comprise a single pivot member remote and spaced from an adjacent end slat.
- the supporting points are formed by contacting points of the cables of a pair of cables with the pivot member so that there is a plurality of single pivot members arranged on one end of a mat each oprating with a pair of cables.
- the distance between two supporting points on a pivot member substantially equal the width of a slat.
- the stabilized position where the tension in the cables is least, is in a slat closed position.
- Any adjusting force applied to tilt the slats to an open position results in the center point of a line connecting the base vertices of opposite pivot means moving relatively away from each other to stretch the cables thus increasing tension in the cables.
- Release or removal of the tilting or adjustment force results in the cables contracting causing the slats and pivot means to tilt back to a stabilized closed or partially closed position.
- the stabilized position where the tension in the cables is least is a slat open position.
- Any adjusting force applied to tilt the slats to a closed position results in the center points of a line connecting the base vertices of opposite pivot means moving away from each other to stretch the cables thus imparting tension in the cables.
- removal of the adjusting or tilting force allows the cables to contract thus pivoting the pivot means and tilting the slats to an open position.
- the cables referred to may be cords which form a part of conventional ladder cords or any other cable-like means so long as the cables or cords have a degree of resiliency so that tension variations are possible.
- a pivot means in addition may comprise one throughgoing means having a slat-like profile in the general manner as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,737 previously mentioned.
- a pivot means on one end of the mat of the slat could comprise a plurality of pivot members combined with an end slat while at the other end of the mat the pivot means could comprise separate pivot members remote and spaced from an end slat, the requirement being in all cases that the top vertices of the pivot means point in opposite directions.
- the slatted blind assembly of the invention is applicable for use with conventional vertically arranged venetian blinds having horizontal slats as well as with blinds having slats extending vertically, blinds with inclined slats and blinds horizontally positioned for use with skylight blinds.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of a slatted blind assembly constructed according to the invention having a pivot means comprising a pivot member combined with an end slat and wherein the stabilized position is a slat open position;
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch of a blind assembly similar to FIG. 1 wherein a stabilized position comprises a slat closed position;
- FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sketch of a slatted blind assembly constructed according to the invention having a pivot means comprising a pivot member remote and spaced from an end slat and wherein the stabilized position is a slat open position;
- FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sketch of a blind assembly similar to FIG. 3 wherein a stabilized position comprises a slat closed position;
- FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sketch of a further form of blind assembly where the pivot means is spaced and remote from an end slat and with the slats in an open unstabilized position;
- FIG. 6 is a sketch similar to FIG. 5 showing the slats in a tilted unstabilized position.
- FIG. 1 a slatted blind assembly having a mat 1 made up of a plurality of slats 2 including a first end slat 3 at a first end 4 of the mat and a second end slat 5 at a second end 6 of the mat opposite the first end.
- a pivot means denoted generally 7 is positioned adjacent the first end 4 of the mat and a pivot means 8 is positioned adjacent the second end 6 of the mat.
- Pivot means 7 and 8 are adapted to pivotally connect to a structure, not shown, as for example, top and hottom window frames.
- Slat support means in the form of a pair of cables 10 connect the pivot means 7 and 8 to support individual slats 2.
- the cables 10 of a pair of cables extend parallel on opposite sides of the slats in a plane perpendicular to the plane of mat 1 which in the Figures extends perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of drawings.
- the cables 10 extend between two supporting points A and B on the pivot means 7 and two supporting points E and F on the pivot means 8.
- the pivot means 7 comprises a pivot member 20 in combination with end slat 3 and where the pivot means is pivotal about a pivot axis having a center point C while the pivot means 8 comprises a pivot member 21 in combination with end slat 6 with the pivot member pivotal about a pivot axis having a center point G.
- points A, B, and C define a triangle where the angle ACB comprises a top angle and angles BAC and CBA comprise base angles.
- points E, F, G define a triangle where the angle EGF comprises a top angle and angles GEF and EFG comprise base angles.
- top angles ACB and EGF face in opposite directions towards the mat 1 such that the pivot axis of the pivot means are located outwardly of the mat.
- the supporting points A, B, C and D are shown positioned near respective opposite longitudinal edges of the end slats and for practical purposes may be considered on the edges. However in practice the supporting points may be positioned inwardly a slight amount from the edges in notches formed in the end slats with similar notches formed in the remainder of the slats to allow the cables to engage in the notches so as to prevent slippage of the slats with respect to the cables.
- FIG. 2 there is illustrated a blind assembly similar to that of FIG. 1 except that the pivot members 20 and 21 are positioned on opposite sides of the end slats from that shown in FIG. 1 such that the top angles ACB and EGF both point towards the mat 1.
- the effect of this construction is that when the slats are moved from a closed position shown in dotted lines to an open position shown in full lines by the application of a tilting or adjusting force, the center points D and G of the end slats are moved away from each other thus stretching the cables 10 and increasing tension therein.
- FIG. 3 there is illustrated a further form of the invention in which the pivot means 37 adjacent the end 4 of the mat and the pivot means 38 adjacent the end 6 of the mat comprise pivot members 39 and 40 which are remote and spaced from the end slats 3 and 5.
- the supporting points A and B and supporting points E and F supporting the cables 20 lie directly on the pivot members and the distance between the points A and B and the points E and F is substantially equal to the width of the slats.
- This particular arrangement does not require any modification of the end slats in order to accommodate a pivot member as may be required in the construction of FIGS. 1 and 2 and to this extent reduces inventory requirements.
- the pivot means 37 and 38 comprising the pivot members 39 and 40 pivot about center points D and G in the same manner as with respect to the structure of FIG. 1 and the center points along with the supporting points form triangles similar to those in FIG. 1 with the top angles ACB and EGF both pointing in opposite directions away from the mat.
- FIG. 3 The operation of the blind assembly of FIG. 3 is likewise similar to that of FIG. 1.
- the pivot members When the pivot members are tilted by application of a tilting force from the full line open slat position to a partially closed slat position shown in dotted line, the center point D connecting points A and B and center point H connecting points E and F will be moved away from each other thus stretching and increasing tension in cables 10. Removal of the tilting force will then allow the cables to contract to move the slats back to the open stabilized position where tension in the cables is at a minimum.
- FIG. 4 The construction in FIG. 4 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 in that the pivot means 37 and 38 comprising pivot members 39 and 40 are remote and spaced from the end slats. However, in this instance the pivot members 39 and 40 are inverted from that shown in FIG. 3 so that the top angles ACB and EGF while still facing in opposite directions both face towards the mat of slats.
- the operation of the blind assembly will thus be similar to that shown in FIG. 2. That is when the slats are tilted by application of a tilting or adjustment from a stabilized partially closed position shown in dotted line towards a slat open position shown in full line, the center points D and H will be moved away from each other to stretch the cables and to increase cable tension. Removal of the tilting force will allow the cables to contract thus moving the pivot members and slats towards the stabilized partially closed or fully closed position.
- pivot members having their distances between their supporting points substantially equal to that of the width of the slat results in that pivot members act as end slats.
- the supporting points A, C, E and F also serve as contacting points where the cables are connected directly to an end slat, as with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, or directly with a pivot member as with the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4.
- a further embodiment of the invention utilizes a quadrant having an outer curved periphery which acts as a pivot means.
- quadrants 50 and 51 are pivotal about center points C and G of pivot axes extending parallel to a plurality of slats forming a mat.
- the slats are supported by a pair of cables 54 extending around the curved portion 55 of the quadrants and which are fixed thereto at points 57.
- the supporting points A and B of cables 54 on quadrant 50 and E and F on quadrant 51 are not fixed on the quadrants, but as shown in FIG. 6, will move depending on the direction and amount of rotation of the quadrants to new positions A' and F'.
- each quadrant forms a triangle having a top angle and two base angles with the top angles ACB and EGF pointing in opposite directions away from the mat of slats.
- the blind arrangement will have a stabilized position in a slat closed position. This is because, as seen in FIG. 6, arc A'-B of quadrant 50 over which the cable extends is smaller than arc A-B over which the cable extends in FIG. 5. This results in a decrease in the amount of cable extending over the quadrant which decrease is added to the length of cable between A' and E which in turn would effectively lengthen the cable between A' and E reducing any tension therein.
- arc E-F' of quadrant 52 is less than arc E-F thus resulting in an effective increase in length of cable between poiunts F' and B reducing tension therein. Reduction in tension thus occurs when the slats in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 move towards a closed stabilized position and increases when a tilting force is applied to move the slats to an open position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Blinds (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/559,770 US4502523A (en) | 1982-06-10 | 1983-12-09 | Slatted blind assemblies having automatic opening and closing features |
CA000467326A CA1226805A (en) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-11-08 | Slatted blind assemblies having automatic opening and closing features |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/387,035 US4458740A (en) | 1981-12-21 | 1982-06-10 | Venetian blind hanger pivot assembly |
US06/559,770 US4502523A (en) | 1982-06-10 | 1983-12-09 | Slatted blind assemblies having automatic opening and closing features |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/387,035 Continuation-In-Part US4458740A (en) | 1981-12-21 | 1982-06-10 | Venetian blind hanger pivot assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4502523A true US4502523A (en) | 1985-03-05 |
Family
ID=27011711
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/559,770 Expired - Lifetime US4502523A (en) | 1982-06-10 | 1983-12-09 | Slatted blind assemblies having automatic opening and closing features |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US4502523A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5497820A (en) * | 1994-04-13 | 1996-03-12 | Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc. | Blind tilt actuator |
US20160123075A1 (en) * | 2014-11-04 | 2016-05-05 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Tilt mechanism for a window blind |
US20180363364A1 (en) * | 2017-06-15 | 2018-12-20 | Taicang Kingfu Plastic Manufacture Co., Ltd. | Venetian blind |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2207605A (en) * | 1938-04-22 | 1940-07-09 | Metal Tape Company | Venetian blind |
US3389737A (en) * | 1965-12-07 | 1968-06-25 | Rolscreen Co | Venetian blind for double glazed sash |
FR2095958A5 (en) * | 1970-06-05 | 1972-02-11 | Interver Ag | |
US3719221A (en) * | 1971-02-11 | 1973-03-06 | R Hanson | Venetian blind window assembly |
-
1983
- 1983-12-09 US US06/559,770 patent/US4502523A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2207605A (en) * | 1938-04-22 | 1940-07-09 | Metal Tape Company | Venetian blind |
US3389737A (en) * | 1965-12-07 | 1968-06-25 | Rolscreen Co | Venetian blind for double glazed sash |
FR2095958A5 (en) * | 1970-06-05 | 1972-02-11 | Interver Ag | |
US3719221A (en) * | 1971-02-11 | 1973-03-06 | R Hanson | Venetian blind window assembly |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5497820A (en) * | 1994-04-13 | 1996-03-12 | Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc. | Blind tilt actuator |
US5662154A (en) * | 1994-04-13 | 1997-09-02 | Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc. | Blind tilt actuator and ladder support therefor |
US20160123075A1 (en) * | 2014-11-04 | 2016-05-05 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Tilt mechanism for a window blind |
US9719298B2 (en) * | 2014-11-04 | 2017-08-01 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Tilt mechanism for a window blind |
US10400507B2 (en) | 2014-11-04 | 2019-09-03 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. | Tilt mechanism for a window blind |
US11002070B2 (en) | 2014-11-04 | 2021-05-11 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Tilt mechanism for a window blind |
US20180363364A1 (en) * | 2017-06-15 | 2018-12-20 | Taicang Kingfu Plastic Manufacture Co., Ltd. | Venetian blind |
US10513879B2 (en) * | 2017-06-15 | 2019-12-24 | Taicang Kingfu Plastic Manufacture Co., Ltd. | Venetian blind |
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